Grading each Duke basketball player’s performance in season opener
By Matt Giles
Grading the play of Duke basketball sophomore Matthew Hurt
The stat line of Matthew Hurt vs. Coppin State: In 29 minutes on the court, the sophomore stretch-four — sometimes stretch-five this season — finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal, zero blocks, one turnover, and four fouls while shooting 5-for-11 from the field, including a 2-for-5 mark from beyond the arc, plus 0-for-2 from the charity stripe.
The evaluation of Matthew Hurt vs. Coppin State: While it is abundantly clear that Matthew Hurt improved his chances of becoming a first-round draft pick by working hard in the offseason to add muscle, develop better footwork, and further hone his silky shot, it’s still not clear if the 6-foot-9, 235-pound starter has the potential to one day become a lottery pick.
As for his time as a collegian, though, Hurt’s enhancements have put him among the three best players for Duke this season. His stroke from deep looks even smoother than it did last season. His bulk gives him a chance to hold his ground against ACC big men. And his overall composure and leadership against Coppin State point to a possible All-ACC selection in his future.
On the flipside, Hurt must figure out how to throw around his new physique without getting into foul trouble. After all, his foul trouble not only seemed to make him disappear for a few minutes while on the court, but it also kept him on the bench while the Eagles continued to hang around in the second half.
The final grade for Matthew Hurt vs. Coppin State: 90 (A-)